February 25, 191 ft 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



45 



hardwood products. Buyers in all o£ these woodworking lines appear to 

 believe that they will be able to buy cheaper, and that they have every- 

 thing to gain and nothing to lose by a policy that calls for purchase on a 

 hand-to-mouth scale. Commodity values generally arc declining, and this 

 declining tendency in most item.s is regarded as responsible for the present 

 method of buying. Hardwood lumber manufacturers, however, enjoy a 

 rather unique position in the respect that, while prii'es on other raw mate- 

 rials are declining, those on lumber are well maintained for the reason 

 that production is on such a restricted scale. 



Prices on low-grade cottonwood have advanced $1 to .$2 per thousaml 

 during the past ten days because of the scarcity of offerings in the open 

 market. Prices are being advanced on some other items ; but, even where 

 advances are not being made, prices are well maintained and appear to 

 have struck bottom. One prominent tirm here is authority for the state- 

 ment that it has sold more than 1. 000.000 feet of hardwood lumber since 

 January 1. and that it has not deviated in the slightest from its list prices. 

 Others say they are asking full quoUitions, and that they are refusing to 

 make concessions. The smallness of production, both present and pros- 

 pective, is responsible for the independent attitude assumed by the majority 

 of holders. If they were producing stock normally and had large payrolls 

 and other operating costs to meet they might feel different about prices. 

 But the majority are otierating in a very limited manner, their expenses 

 are comparatively light and they are in position to go slowly in selling. 

 In addition to the lightness of stocks, it may be noted that there is con- 

 fident belief in decided expansion in demand from both domestic and for- 

 eign sources. 



More orders have been received here during the past ten days than dur- 

 ing any similar period for several months. lucjuiries are being received 

 on a scale that suggests a further largo increase in buying in the imme- 

 diate future, and lumber interests are taking the stand that, when buyers 

 realize that there i.s no chance of a recession in values, there will be a 

 distinct change in the attitude as well as in the policy of consuming and 

 distributing interests. The better demand at the moment is for oak, ash, 

 gum and poplar. Other items, however, are moving in a larger way than 

 a short time ago, and altogether the average lumber manufacturer describes 

 the situation as showing many elements of soundness and healthiness. 

 There is considerable export demand, but very little lumber is being 

 exported from the southern hardwood field for the reason that there are 

 so few boats on which to handle overseas shipments. 



The car situation is quite favorable and the volume of shipments is 

 showing substantial increase. Production, however, is quite small and 

 stocks of lumber are decreasing rather than increasing. 



=-< LOUISVILLE >- 



Business during February has been better than it was during the en- 

 tire months of November, December and January, according to some of 

 the leading local concerns, reports showing a very active volume of in- 

 quiry, and numerous orders received. The demand for veneers at the 

 present time is especially good, white oak, walnut and mahogany veneers 

 all selling well. There is also a very good demand for hardwoods, with 

 plain and quartered oak excellent .sellers. Poplar is in good demand, 

 while such woods as hickory and ash are downright scarce. Gum is 

 showing a notable improvement and chestnut is picking up for core stock. 

 Elm and sycamore are not so active as they were, but a few truck con- 

 cerns are buying the former. Beach is selling to chair factories. 



A considerable percentage of the demand at present is coming from 

 the furniture and cabinet trade.s, with the talking machine and piano 

 trades buying well. Box plants are fairly busy and are taking up low 

 grades, mooring manufacturers are more active, and figure on a fair 

 year after things get started. Prices as a whole are good, and stronger 

 than they have been at any time since the armistice was signed. Ship- 

 ping conditions are generally good. With a return of building and de- 

 mand for interior trim it is felt that the trade will be in good condition. 



=< MILWAUKEE >■= 



While the logging season of 1918-1919 will go down in history as one 

 of the most unfavorable in the experience of the northern lumber in- 

 dustry, there is basis for the hope that the remaining four weeks of the 

 winter period will be accompanied by a more favorable brand of weather 

 and temperatures than those of the last two or three months, enabling 

 loggers to finish with a fairly good average. Colder weather and several 

 •snowfalls during the last ten days or two weeks have improved conditions 

 materially and many camps have found it possible to carry on woods 

 work at a maximum capacity. On the whole, however, the season prob- 

 ably will amount to less than half of the normal, both in duration and 

 log input. 



The cost of logging has never been so abnormally high as this season, 

 and this unquestionably will be reflected in the manner of stabilizing 

 prices of manufactured products in coming months, despite any strong 

 influences that might develop in favor of a declining movement. 



The demand for hardwoods is improving. Furniture and similar in- 

 dustries are taking hold with more confidence, but buying still is largely 

 a matter of filling urgent needs. The musical instrument manufacturing 

 industry is one of the most active buyers and much is expected from this 

 source from now on because of the readiness with which the product is 

 being absorbed by the public. 



''WE WANT YOUR ORDERS" 



OAK— POPLAR— CHESTNUT 



Soft Texture 

 OAK DIMENSION, 



Virginia Stock 

 PINE DIMENSION 



The Kerns Lumber Co., Roanoke, Va. 



PALMER & PARKER COMPANY 



TEAK MAHOGANY ebony 



ENGLISH OAK i/iTMirirDC DOMESTIC 



CIRCASSIAN WALNUT VENEERS HARDWOODS 



103 Medford Street, Charlestown Dist. 

 BOSTON, MASS. 



WE WANT TO SELL 

 For QUICK SHIPMENT 



100 M' 6/4" No. I Com. & Btr Birch 

 50 M' 6/4" No, 2 Com. Birch 

 50 M' 6/4" No. 3 Com. Birch 

 lOOM' 6/4" No. I Com. & Btr. Hard Maple 

 (6" & wider) 

 50 M' 6/4" No. 3 Com. Hard Maple 

 I 00 M' 8/4" No. 2 Com. & Btr. Hard Maple 

 Scud us vo:tr inquiries for 

 \ORTHER\- HARDWOODS and HEMLOCK 



Wheeler -Timlin Lumber Co. 



WAUSAU, WISCONSIN 



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